Page 9

‘Not a problem. You want me to crack on with decorating?’

‘Yeah, that’d be good.’ Ophelia nodded. ‘Although I did have another good idea…’

‘Why don’t you tell me while we start?’ He began untangling a garland, ready to drape it around the till.

She twisted a couple of paper flowers together, then stopped. ‘I’ve been thinking about that hot honey and spiced chocolate loaf you made a few weeks ago. When you muddled up your ingredients with one of my top-shelf blends? The one that had some really interesting reactions?’

‘You mean the couple who came in here squabbling, ate two bites, then disappeared into the book stack for an hour?’ He chuckled. As soon as they’d realised what had happened, they’d removed the cake from sale. But never one to waste food, Aiden had taken a few slices and it had been very popular with Mandy – or possibly it was Linda. He hadn’t dared ask Ophelia what happened to the rest. He was scared she’d answer!

‘Yeah, that one. What do you think about trying to create a similar effect, only deliberately? Maybe something for Beltane. Invigorating. A bit like my Kick Up Your Bum blend.’

‘Beltane’s the fire and fertility festival you were telling me about?’

‘That’s the one.’

‘So, when you say “invigorating”, what you really mean is spicier… in the romantic sense. And baked?’

‘This is why we work well together.’ Ophelia laughed. ‘Because you get me.’

‘I’ve never done anything like that before.’

‘You’re more than capable. You’ve picked things up incredibly quickly. I think it’s about time you started with your own blends and recipes instead of just following my tea and bath ones.’

‘OK.’ He felt an unexpected flush of pride. ‘Let me have a think about it for a few days and get back to you.’

‘Great.’

‘Now can we sort these decorations?’

‘OK, OK.’

Mia grimaced, peeled off her tunic and stuffed it into one of the clinical waste bags in her car. She gagged slightly as she tied the bag shut. She really, really hated vomit. All the other disgusting things the human body so often produced she handled fine, but vomit could still turn her stomach.

She threw on a chunky cardigan over her vest top, slammed the car shut, and hurried along the cobblestones. A quick visit to Ophelia’s, then she could go home and treat herself to a well-deserved bath.

Mist smirked at her as she walked past, but skipped away when Mia leaned down to try and pet her.

‘Suit yourself.’ She shrugged and opened the door. The chimes tinkled happily, welcoming her into peaceful, sweetly scented warmth. Despite the weather, spring appeared to have arrived inside, and Mia felt some of the tension and stress of the day disappear.

She’d adored Ophelia since Katie had shyly introduced her new girlfriend, and loved her somewhat controversial store with its quirky, beautiful mix of antiques, jewellery, crystals, gifts, teas, treats and cosmetics – and the odd books and peculiar things that Mia tried not to pay too much attention to. But it was the lemon, lavender and mint shampoo she really needed. Somehow the mix was almost magical in its ability to get rid of the more unpleasant smells from her job, and left her hair looking glossy and well-behaved, instead of like she’d licked her fingers and stuck them in a socket.

‘Good evening, welcome to Glimmers and Sparkles. I’m Aiden. What can I do to brighten your day?’

‘Um. Hi.’ Mia was a bit taken aback by the tall, broad-shouldered man who greeted her with one of the warmest, most genuine smiles she’d ever received from a stranger. ‘Is Phe… Ophelia about? I was hoping to speak with her.’

‘No, she and Rayenne are at an estate sale today, so I’m afraid you’re stuck with me. But I’m more than happy to help.’

‘That’s all right, thanks. I just need a cosmetics restock.’ She headed for the shelf of brightly coloured jars, bottles and individually wrapped bars, quickly grabbed the ones she wanted and headed back to the desk.

‘Better than Squeaky.’ He grinned and rang up the purchases, quickly packing them into one of Ophelia’s biodegradable bags. ‘A good choice. Though I prefer Honey Zinger myself.’

‘I don’t think I’ve tried that one.’ Mia reached for her purse.

‘Let me raid the sample basket for you. It’s a good one for when you need a kick up the… immune system.’

‘Do I look like I need an immune boost?’

‘Not particularly, but it doesn’t hurt, does it? Was there anything else?’